Shank button feeders



July l5, 1958 o. HALBREICH 2,843,069

' ysami BUTTON FEEDERS Filed Nov. 8. 1957 Y 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jly 15, 195s O. HALBREICH SHANK BUTTON FEEDERS Filed Nov'. 8. 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July l5, 1958 o. HALBREICH 2,843,069

SHANK BUTTON FEEDERS Filed Nov. a, 1957 s sheets-sheet s United States arent SHANK BUT TGN FEEDERS Oscar Halhreich, New York, N. Y., assigner to Kem Button Corporation, Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation ef New York Application November 8, 1957, Serial No. 695,305

Claims. (Cl. 112-113) This application is a continuation in part of my copending application for Letters Patent 508,899 filed May 17, 1955, now abandoned, entitled Shank Button Feeders This invention relates generally to the sewing machine art, and more particularly to an improved button feeding device adapted to feed shank-type buttons into position beneath a sewing machine in succession for sewing the same upon a garment or piece of cloth. Reference is made to United States Patent No. 777,564, granted to I. JpSullivan, December V13, 1904, which discloses a sewing machine of a type adapted to be used in cooperative relationship with the devices described herein.

Button feeders of the above-described type are broadly not new in the art, and the invention herein lies in the specific constructional details which permit improved handling of the machine by an operator, as well as inherently smoother operation of the button feeder per se.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide a shank button feeder for use in conjunction with a button sewing machine in which the number of moving parts has been materially reduced as compared with prior art devices, thereby expediting normal servicing and materially reducing the time during which a machine need be shut down during servicing.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a shank button feeder of the class described, including means for positively gripping the shank of the button during a sewing operation, thereby eliminating all possibility of slippage during the sewing cycle, and adapting the device to be used with aplurality of sizes of buttons having similarly shaped shank portions.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of improved shank button feeder construction in which successive buttons are fed to sewing position by the operator upon removing a portion of cloth to which a previously sewn button is attached, whereby a succeeding button is positioned at the will of the operator, rather than as an incident of the sewing cycle.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of resilient button positioning means adapted to be used in conjunction with certain types of shank buttons whereby the button may be grasped at a rim portion thereof, rather than at a shank portion, thereby adapting the device to be used with buttons which have heretofore been positioned manually, rather than automatically.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of improved button advancement means including a resilient component wherein the clogging or jamming of shank buttons disposed within a button feeding chute is substantially eliminated.

AY feature .of the invention lies in the fact that the same may be employed in conjunction with a wide variety of makesof button sewing machines, including both needle oscillating and bed oscillating types.

Another feature of the invention lies in the relatively low manufacturing costinvolved in producing the de- 2,843,069 Patented July l5, 1958 On the drawings, to which reference will be made I in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the embodiment showing the relative position of the parts at the time of button advancement, and prior to the commencement of a button sewing cycle.

Figure 3 is a similar fragmentary view in elevation showing the relative position of the component parts at the time of commencement of a sewing cycle.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in perspective as seen from the rear of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in perspective as seen from the rear of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of a shank button used in conjunction with the device.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing a shank button in sewing position within a button positioning element which comprises a part of the device.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in elevation corresponding to that as seen in Figure 2, but showing a second embodiment of the invention. This view shows certain structure common to both the first and the second embodiments.

Figure 9 is a similar fragmentary View in elevation of the second embodiment, and corresponding to that seen on Figure 3.

Figure l0 is a fragmentary side elevational view as seen from the plane 10-10 on Figure 9.

Figure 11 is an enlarged Vfragmentary view in elevation, partly in section, corresponding generally to that seen from the plane 11-11 on Figure 4 but showing certain of the parts in altered relative position for purposes of clarity.

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view as seen from the plane 12-12 on Figure 2.

` Figure 13 is a fragmentary view in elevation as seen from the plane 13-13 on Figure l2.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary View in perspective showing the interconnection of the chute means with a hopper .feeding device.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, is shown in the drawings in installed condition upon the sewing machine head ilrof the type illustrated in the above-mentioned Sullivan Patent No. 777,564, which is of the bed oscillating type in which the needle oscillatcs along a vertical axis, and the bed oscillating mechanism 11 causes the work to move leftwardly or rightwardly as seen on Figure l for alternate stitches. Devices of this type are conventionally arranged to oscillate a predetermined number of times during which time a single button is stitched to the work, and come to rest automatically at the completion of a sewing cycle with the bed shifting mechanism 1li in the leftwardmost position as seen on Figure l. It is to be understood, however, that such showing is purely exemplary, as other button sewing machines (not shown) of the same general type may be employed. As is well known in the art, such devices include a presser foot support l2, a baseplate 13 having conventional chain-stitch mechanism (not shown), a material support 14, and shifting linkage 15, for raising and lowering the presser foot support 12.

The device includes, broadly, a button chute element 20, a button holding element 22, a button positioning element 23, and a button advancement element 24. The button chute element may be of any suitable shank button type, as for example, that disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,597,912 and is preferably formed of flexible planar metallic material. The same may be loaded manually or by any of a'v'ariety of hopper feeding devices, as for example, that seen on Figure 14 and indicated by reference character 24', all of which are known in the art. The element 20 comprises a back plate member 30 having an inner surface 31 adapted to contact the exposed surfaces of successive buttons. The surface 31 is bounded by an upper edge 32, and a lower edge 33. Disposed in parallel relationship with respect to the back plate member is an upper front plate member 34 and a lower front plate member 35, both of which lie in a single plane, and are spaced from each other to define a groove 36 inwhich the shank portion 37 of each button 38 may be disposed. The slanted portion 39 of the button chute 20 is inclined at substantially a 45 degree angle with respect to the vertical, and extends in an upward direction to engage with the hopper means 24. A lower portion 40 leads to a substantially horizontally disposed portion 41.

The presser foot support engaging element 21 serves to elevate both the button chute element 20 and the button holding element 22 when the presser foot support 12 is raised by the operator either manually or by a foot pedal (not shown). It includes a cam support plate (see Figures 4 and 5) which is secured by nut means 46 to a bifurcated plate 47 which replaces the conventional plate spring of -the sewing machine head 11. The plate 45 includes an angularly disposed portion 48 on which there is mounted a horn-shaped cam 49, the purpose of which will become more clearly apparent at a point later in the disclosure. It will be observed that the plate 45 will oscillate with the member 11 during operation, and will transmit corresponding motion to the cam 49.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the presser foot support 12 supports a second cam member 51 attached thereto by screw means 52. The cam member 51 includes a camming surface in the form of a slot 53 having a horizontally disposed portion 54 and an angularly disposed portion 55. The cam driven member 56 mounts a cam follower member 57 (see Figures 11, 4 and 5) engageable with the horn-shaped cam 49 in an orifice 58, as well as a second cam follower member 59 in the form of an elongated rod adapted to ride within the slot 53 of the cam member 51. As best seen on Figure 11, in the drawing, the member 56 is secured by pin and screw means 56 and 57', respectively, to the outermost portion 60 which forms an extension of the back plate member 30. Y

The button holding element 22 is best seen in Figures 1, 2, 3, 7, 11 and 12, and includes a horizontal support portion fixably attached to support member 65 upon which are mounted a pair of integrally formed shank engaging arms 66 and 67 which extend in a vertically downward direction in a plane substantially coplanar with that of the members 34 and 35. The arms 66 and 67 are provided with shank engaging notches 68 and 69, respectively, and form therebetween a channel 70 through which the needle 78 of the sewing machine head 11 may pass. The support member 65 is fixably attached to an operating lever 71 at the lowermost portion thereof and is arranged for pivotal motion about a screw 72 mounted upon the portion 40 of the button chute 20 (see Figure 12). The lever 71 is provided with a cam face 73 engageable with a stud 74 mounted upon a support bracket 75. Thebracket 75 is suitably secured to the head 11, preferably by screws 75 (see Figures 2 and 3 also) the method of interconnection varying with the particular sewing machine head employed. A spring 76 (see Figures 3, 5, 11 and 12) serves to urge the cam face 73 against the stud 74 in all positions throughout a normal sewing cycle. As may be seen in Figure 12, the spring is preferably wound about a stud 77 fixedly attached to the chute element 20 and exerts its effect through the normal torque of a coil spring, although if desired, other resilient means (not shown) may be substituted.

The button positioning element 23 is best seen on Figures l, 2, 3 and 7, and serves to automatically locate a given button 38 directly beneath the engaging notches 68 and 69 immediately before the commencement of a sewing cycle. It includes an upper guide member 79 of resilient planar material so arranged as to be an extension of the member 34, a lower guide member 80 of similar construction and so arranged as to be an extension of the member 35, the members 79 and 80 being also arranged to provide a continuation of the groove 36. A flat leaf spring 82, which forms a continuation of the surface 31 of the back plate 30 is positioned within the slot 81, the same including a relatively flat portion 83, and a curved portion 84, which extends into the plane of the members 79 and 80. As may be seen on Figure 7, the curved portion 84 is so positioned as to contact the exposed periphery of a positioned button 38 when the shank portion 37 thereof is beneath the notches 68 and 69. The members 79 and 80 are preferably riveted to the upper and lower front plate members 34 and 35, re-

spectively. Referring to Figure 11 in the drawing, the

leaf spring 82 is secured within the slot 81 in such a manner that the curved portion 84 extends into the opening 84 to contact the positioned button as shown on Figure 7.

The button advancement element 24 is adapted to resiliently urge succeeding buttons through their path of travel in the button chute element 20. When using certain types of buttons exclusively, the entire element may be eliminated and buttons allowed to fall under the action of gravity. The element is principally `useful where the ex- .posed outer surface of the buttons are non-planar so that they tend to overlap each other within the chute element.

As best seen on Figures 1, 2 and 3, the element includes a support arm 85 which may be formed integrally with the arm 75, a mounting pin 86 on the arm 85, a pivotally mounted spring loading arm 87, a button engaging arm 88 both supported for rotation on the pin 86, and a spring 89 interconnecting arms 87 and 88.

The second spring 89' urges the arm 87 in a counterclockwise direction as seen in Figure 1 so as to bring the cam surface 92 into contact with a fixed pin 90 on a supporting arm 91 rigidly mounted on the chute element 20. A limiting member 93, adjustably positioned upon the upper yfront member 34 by means of screw 94 and slot 95, governs the limits of motion of the button engaging arm 88 as will be more clearly seen hereinafter.

Referring to Figures 12 and 13, the horn-shaped cam 49 is of tapered configuration, the base diameter being substantially equal to that of the opening 58, so that when the device 10 is in the position shown on Figure 1, oscillation of the means 11 will be rigidly followed by the button holding element 22 and the button positioning element 23. With particular reference to Figure 13, it will be observed that the Itaper of the horn-shaped cam 49 is such that as the chute element is raised to the position shown on Figure 2, the `above elements will lremain in their leftward position as seen in that figure, the reduction in diameter of the cam 49 permitting easy movement. Since the means 11 comes to rest at the leftwardmost position, when the chute element is raised the needle will clear the horizontal support portion 65 and support member 65', thereby avoiding all possibility of damage or breakage to the needle. (See Figure 12.)

The operation of the device is substantially as indicated on the drawings. When the chute element 20 is loaded with buttons, these normally tall under the action of gravity until the forwardmost becomes located within the button positioning element 23, as shown on Figure 7, wherein the curved portion 84 of the spring 82 arrests further movement. This positioning is permitted by raising the presser foot support 12 permitting the arms 66 and 67 to clear the shank portion 37 of the forwardmost button 318. Goods (not shown) may then be positioned in well-known manner, and the presser foot support 12 lowered to the position shown on Figure 3, after which sewing -is commenced. Upon completion of the required number of stitches, the machine is stopped, and the presser foot support 12 is then raised.v During the upward motion Iof the support 12, the cam follower member 59 moves `upwardly and rearwardly (see Figures 4 and 5), as does the follower member 57. Owing to the normal movement of the Sullivan button machine, there is also a slight leftward shifting which is accommodated by the horn-shaped cam 49. This upward movement results in shifting the entire -lower portion 40 of the button chute element 20, thereby releasing the goods (not shown) previously gripped therebene-ath as well as the horizontal support member 65 of the button holding element 22 by virtue of its mounting on the pin 72. In addition to the upward substantially translational movement of the support member 65', rotational movement is imparted by the action of the stud 74 against the ca-m face 73 of the lever 71 so that the arms 66 and 67 are raised an additional amount suiicient to clear the shank portion 37 of the button 38 disposed therebeneath. In the view shown in Figure 1l, `the arms 66 and 67 are raised to a deg-ree slightly higher 4than is normally necessary to show the relative position of the same. The normal amount is indicated on Figure 2. With further reference to Figure 2 and to Figures l2 and 14, the pivoting of the chute element takes place about an axis through the center of the hopper means 24', the center being indicated by reference character 25. Owing to the relative position of the lower end of the chute element, the raising of the same, will result in the above mentioned shifting of the button holding element 22 and button positioning element 23, the relative position of the above structure being shown on Figures 2 and l2.

Simultaneously with this movement, the cam surface 92 of the spring loading arm 87 strikes the pin 9i) and is cammed in a clockwise direction (compare Figure 3 with Figure 2), moving the same against the action of Yspring 89', and loading the spring 89 to resiliently urge the button engaging ar'm S8 in a similar clockwise direction. As the chute element isbeing moved vertically upward with respect to the relatively xed support arm 75, the end of the button engaging arm 88 is projected into the path `of successive shank portions 37 to result in placing a resilient load against the stack of buttons 38 disposed within-the chute element 20.

The operator removes the sewn button from its position within the button positioning means 23, as shown in Figure 7, -by moving the goods (not shown) to which the button has been attached, following which the succeeding button advances to take -its place.. Any tendency for buttons to clog within the chute element 20 is overcome by the action of the spring 89, which resiliently loosens the buttons during Athe advancement of the same.

The operator then repositions another portion of the goods and lowers the presser foot support 12 so that the device again assumes the condition shown in Figure 3. During the return movement, the cam 49 guides the moving parts to their original position, and the relative movement of the chute element 20 and the arm 88 result in the latter being drawn from contact with the shank portion of a previously engaged button. As the spring 39 is of greater resiliency than the spring 89, a slight counterclockwise movement of the spring loading arm 87 occurs which is transmitted through the now contracted ,spring 89 to reposition the arm 88 for a successive advancement motion.

` With each repeated cycle, the button immediately sewed is removed only by a positive movement of the goods under the direct control of the operator, and thus no buttons are ejected by merely reciprocating the presser foot support 12, either accidentally or intentionally.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention, as illustrated on Figures 8, 9 and l0, parts corresponding to those of the rst embodiment have been designated by similar reference characters.

The second embodiment diiers from the first embodiment in the elimination of the shank engaging arms 66 and 67, and the substitution of a pair of button gripping members 96 and 97 which are adapted to grasp the button at the peripheral portion thereof, rather than the shank portion thereof. The members 96 and 97 are interconnected by means of a pin 98 and form a pair of jaws adapted to grasp the button when the device is positioned as shown on Figure 9. The jaws are maintained in an open condition at all times by providing a channel 102 in the member 97 within which the member 96 is positioned, and thus, the spring 98 may only partially close the jaws when no button is disposed between them. As may be seen on Figure l0, an angle bracket member 100 mounts the members 96 and 97 upon the portion 65 as in the first embodiment.

It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly useful improvements in shank button feeding devices in which there has been provided an improved means for advancing the buttons to a sewing position which is entirely within the control of the operator, and is not part of either the commencement or termination of a given sewing cycle. Button advancement is completely independent of movement of the presser foot element of the particular button sewing machine with which the device is associated, and the device comprises a substantially fewer number of moving parts than has heretofore been the case in prior art devices.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the exact details of structure shown andy set forth in this specification, for bvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

I claim:

l. A shank button feeding device for use in conjunction with a button sewing machine comprising: a button chute element, button positioning means and button holding means; said button positioning means communicating with said chute element and having resilient means for receiving and arresting successive buttons in sewing position with respect to said sewing machine; said button positioning means being supported by said chute element and arranged with respect to said button chute element to contact a portion of the head part of a shank button, said button holding means being movably supported on said chute element adjacent said button positioning means and including notched means for engaging a shank portion of a button on the outer surface thereof during sewing; first means for engaging said button chute element and for raising said Vbutton chute element and button positioning means with respect to said sewing machine, and second means including a component fixedly supported by the said button sewing machine and selectively engaging said button holding means operated by movement of said chute element for raising said button holding means with respect to said button chute element and said button positioning means.

2. A shank button feeding device for use in conjunction with a button sewing machine comprising: a button chute element, button positioning means and button holding means; said button positioning means communicating with said button chute element and having resilient means for receiving and arresting successive buttons in sewing position with respect to said sewing machine; said positioning means being supported by said chute element and arranged with respect to said button chute element to contact a portion of the'head part of a shank button, said button holding means being movably supported on said chute element adjacent said button positioning means and including an arm having a notch therein for engaging a shank portion of a button on the outer surface thereof during sewing; first means engaging said button chute element for raising said button chute element and button positioning means with respect to said sewing machine and second means including a component fixedly supported by the 4said button sewing machine and selectively engaging said button holding means operated by upward movement of said chute element for serially raising said button holding means with respect to said button chute element and button positioning means. Y

3. A shank button feeding device for use in conjunction with a button sewing machine comprising: a button chute element, button positioning means and button holding means; said button positioning means communicating with said button chute element and having resilient means for receiving and arresting successive buttons in sewing position with respect to said sewing machine; said positioning means being supported by said chute element and arranged with respect to said button chute element to contact a portion of the head part of a shank button, said button holding means being movably supported on said chute element adjacent said button positioning means and including a pair of arms each having a notch therein for engaging a shank portion of a button on the outer surface thereof, said arms being mutually spaced a distance sufiicient to permit the entry of a sewing machine needle therebetween; first means engaging said button chute element for raising said button chute element and button positioning means with respect to said sewing machine and second means including a component fixedly supported by the said sewing machine and selectively engaging said button holding means operated by upward movement of said chute element for serially raising said button holding means with respect to said button chute element and said button positioning means.

4. A shank button feeding device for use in conjunction with a button sewing machine having a presser foot support comprising: a button chute element, button positioning means and button holding means; said button positioning means communicating with said button chute element and having resilient means for receiving and arresting successive buttons in sewing position with respect to said sewing machine; said button positioning means being supported by said chute element and arranged with respect to said button chute element to contact a portion of the head part of a shank button, said button holding means being movably supported on said chute element adjacent said button positioning means and including a pair of arms each having a notch therein for engaging a shank portion of a button on the outer surface thereof, said arms being mutually spaced a distance sufiicient to permit the entry of a sewing machine needle therebetween; first means engaging said button chute element for raising said button chute element and button positioning means with respect to said sewing machine and second means operated by upward movement of said chute element for raising said button holding means with respect to said button chute element and said button positioning means; said first means being operated by movement of said presser foot support.

5. A shank button feeding device for use in conjunction with a button sewing machine comprising: a button chute element and button positioning means; said button chute element having a passage therein accommodating the head portion of successive shank buttons and a groove extending feng the length of the principal axis thereof permitting the shank portions of said successive buttons to project outwardly of said chute element; said button positioning means communicating with said button chute element and having first resilient means for arresting successive buttons in sewing position, said first resilient means yieldably projecting into the path of travel of buttons disposed at an exit end of said chute element; button advancement means positioned to cooperate with said button chute element, said button advancing means including a first arm pivotally mounted for rotation about an axis fixed with respect to said sewing machine and having cam means thereon; second resilient means urging pivotal motion of said arm in a first angular direction about said axis and generally opposite the direction of movement of buttons within said chute element, cam follower means mounted upon said chute element and engageable with said cam means, a second arm mounted for pivotal rotation about said fixed axis, third resilient means interconnecting said first and second arms at points displaced from said fixed axis; said second arm having a portion thereof positioned adjacent the path of travel of the shank portions of successive shank buttons; said chute element being arranged for substantially vertical reciprocation with respect to said fixed axis; means interconnected with said button chute element for raising the same with respect to said fixed axis, whereby upon the raising of said chute element with respect to said fixed axis, said cam means may transmit motion through said earn follower means on said button chute to move said first arm in a'second angular direction to transmit a resilient force through said third resilient means to said second arm while said second arm is simultaneously moved into the path of travel of said button shank portions to urge buttons within said chute element in a direction toward said button positioning means; the resilient force of said third resilient means being normally insuficient to overcome the resilient force of said first resilient means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 761,285 Chilton May 31, 1904 1,183,084 La Porte May 16, 1916 1,749,856 Taylor Mar. 11, 1930 1,940,229 Rawnsley Dec. 19, 1933 2,597,912 Troll May 27, 1952 2,661,709 Troll Dec. 8, 1953 

